AGRICULTURAL SEEDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1582, 18 March 1882, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL SEEDS.

No. 2.

The fact of the decided preference for New Zealand-grown seeds on the part of the farmers I in the other Colonies cannot be too strongly impressed on the attention of our agriculturists, by whom the circumstances and the reason wherefore are either imperfectly known or inadequately estimated, for it is certain that were the demand to meet with a corresponding and satisfactory response here, a large, and expanding trade would ensue. It is probable, however, our advice to fanners here to grow the seeds required on their farms may be retorted upon us as equally applicable to the the case of the Australian farmer, but it can be made apparent that the circumstances, owing to natural causes, are altogether dissimilar. In some districts in this Colony the baneful influence of what Australians would regard as a very modified form .of hot winds, and scarcely worthy of notice, is loudly and frequently complained, of ; but we have no .experience of the scathing intensity of these visitations, or their constant recurrence, as in the Northern Colonies. Injurious as they are to all vegeta tion, they are especially so to^plants in bloom j and if not absolutely fatal to the fructification of seed, the produce is debilitated, and the vital energy necessarily very much impaired. Under such circumstances seed-growing is always a risk, and almost invariably unsatisfactory and unprofitable. Again, in a climate so exhaustive the producing powers of plants soon become weakened, hence the necessity for more frequent changes of seed. Recent and limited as their experience has been, the Australian farmers have realised the fact that seed grown in this colony grows more vigorously than that procured from still colder climates, and if we skilfully cater for their requirements, just as cultivation extends with them so shall we derive all the benefits of an enlarged trade.

We have from another and important direction convincing proof of the commercial value of our seeds. Last season a considerable parcel of cocksfoot grass seed was purchased from farmers in this and the adjoining province at prices ranging from threepence to threepencehalfpenny per lb. Sent to England and sold, it realised sevenpence per lb. — a price which it certainly would not havo fetched in the most exacting market in the world for seeds, had it not been of very superior quality. And what are the imjnediate results? there are orders now in the colony which it is question- j able if a sufficient supply of similar seed will be in the market to fill, and prices are quoted J at very nearly a penny-halfpenny per lb. over I those of last season. Similar results will eventuate with other grass seeds and clovers, once we have a surplus to offer, and these should be sufficient to secure the required attention to this source of farm profits. A noticeable characteristic of the colonial Press is the pro. minence given to ' new industries,' and those connected with agricultural pursuits appear to be regarded by journalists with especial favour; but too frequently very little discrimination is shown in promulgating schemes and recommending practices for adoption by farmers. Some of these have only although possible, would certainly not be protheir novelty to recommend them, others again, fitablein practice; nevertheless thecolumns even of agricultural journals continue the usual contributions from the scissors, whether or no the extracts convey suggestions ol any practical utility to the community for whose benefit they aro intended. As a consequence, farmers have been nauseated with the multitude of nostrums published from time to time, because these have been foreign to their wants and circumstances ; valuable information, therefore, often escapes observation, or is regarded dubiously. Fortunately the subject under consideration is, or should be, familiar to every practical farmer, who must admit that the industry can be en grafted on the usual practice of every cultivated farm, and without involving any considerable outlay, or requiring more than ordinary skill or attention.

; Very recently we have been shown several varieties of grass seeds in considerable bulk, and grown in Lhis province. Without excop. tion they wore very superior— one exceptionally so, weighed 281bs to the bushel, and, h?/l it been thoroughly well dressed, it would have scaled at ieasfc another pound, not that the re-

fuse in the measure weighed so much, but the space occupied by it would have held the additional weight of pure seed. In fullness and firmness of pilo, tho colonial was markedly superior to the imported grass seeds, but not so good in colour, several samples showing^ weatherstain, which more attention in harvesting would have obviated. We have in the first place chosen grass seed to illustrate the facility with which a fanner may turn to a source of profit heretofore overlooked in his practice. All that is required on his part is that the land should be scrupulously clean, and that the seed should be perfectly pure of its kind, for admixtures have no place in the wholesale seed market. Instructions as to fine tilth and careful sowing should not be necessary to the intending seed grower, who has already expended a sum more than is customary in prime stock to begin with. The crop must be cut on the green side of ripeness, as in the saving of all kinds of seed, the seed pile must be moderately firm, and so that it will perfect the ripening without shedding the seed during the subsequent handling. Tho harvesting and labour connected with it will be very much simplified by threshing out the seed before stacking the hay. The difficulties formerly experienced in dressing grass seeds have been obviated by the introduction of specially made sieves and riddles to fit in the usual corn winnowers, and therefore, with the necessary appliances at hand, the operation should be thorough and completed with the greatest nicety, for those only who have experience in the matter can testify how irresistible to a judge and buyer a perfectly pure and clean sample of grass seed is. We have no desire to ignore the only drawback in the matter, and the objection urged by many farmers to saving grass seed — viz., that the hay suffers in quality for feeding purposes ; and no doubt to some extent this is the case. On the other hand, owing tothe greater attention paid to the hay when it is intended to save the grass seeds, it will be found fully up to the average quality of that made in the usual way, and the deficiency, if any, can be supplied by a trifling additional liberality in other food to the stock.